Railroad Quiet Zones

A quiet zone is sections of a railroad corridor where train crews do not routinely sound the horn at railroad crossings. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) provides the requirements necessary to establish Quiet Zones. The railroad segments will qualify for Quiet Zone designation if crossing safety improvements are implemented, such as crossing closures, one-way conversions, quad gates, medians & signs and pavement markings. Once the construction is completed, the FRA has the ability to approve/disapprove the implementation of the Quiet Zone. The Quiet Zone process, from initiation to establishment, can take 12 to 24 months.

Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) Calculation: The collected traffic and train data and proposed safety improvements are entered into the FRA’s QZRI calculator to ensure that QZ can be established.

Identify Funding: Identify an available funding source with City Council recommendation and approval (NAMP, HUD 108, CDBG Funds, etc.)

Complete Design: Design plans are prepared to include the safety improvements and signage and pavement markings modifications.

Notice of Intent (NOI): NOI and design plans are submitted to stakeholders, such as FRA, UPRR, Amtrak, TXDOT, etc. The stakeholders are required to respond within a 60-day timeframe.

Complete Safety Improvement Construction: Current on-call contractor is used to build the geometric and traffic improvements.

Final Inspection: An inspection is done by the diagnostic team to verify the safety improvements.

Notice of Establishment (NOE): NOE application and as-built plans are submitted to stakeholders, such as FRA, UPRR, Amtrak, TXDOT, etc. The stakeholders are required to respond within a 30-day timeframe.